Chemical dispenser for automatic washing machines



Sept. 11, 1962 F. G. DODD 3,053,066

CHEMICAL DISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINEfs Filed March 17, 19586 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,lZa.

INVENTOR. 1. T FREDERICK G-DODD I40. ATTORNEYS Sept. 11, 1962 F. G. DODD3,

CHEMICAL DISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed March 1'7, 19586 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. I3 FREDERICK G.DODD

ATTORNEYS Sept. 11, 1962 F. G. DODD 3,053,066

CHEMICAL DISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed March "17, 1958e Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR.

FREDERICK G. DODD fi d Ws W ATTORNEYS F. G. DODD Sept. 11, 1962 CHEMICALDISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed March 17, 1958 6Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. FREDERICK s. DODD Q E f}: Z ATTORNEY S Sept.11, 1962 F. e. DODD ,0

CHEMICAL DISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed March 17, 1958 6Sheets-Sheet 5 fi l 194 /OB F 99 102 98 /04 JF 107 {k 15/ Y we 9 [/4 Man L 1 K II; l// a -98 P i g. E 5 F i E 4 INVENTOR.

FREDERICK G.DODD

ATTORNEYS p 19 F. G. DODD 3,053,066

CHEMICAL DISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed March 17, 1958 6Sheets-Sheet 6 a 2 5 W a I a 9 5 ma t U //7 P1 E a P1 B Y INVENTOR.FREDERICK G. DODD ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,053,066 CHEMICALDISPENSER FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Frederick G. Dodd, Detroit,Mich., assignor of fifteen percent to Robert G. Mentag, Detroit, Mich.

Filed Mar. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 721,711 14 Claims. (Cl. 68-23) Thisinvention relates generally to automatic washing machines, and, moreparticularly, to improvements in water softener solution dispenserapparatus for automatic washing machines.

It is an important object of thi invention to provide a water softenersolution dispenser for automatic washing machines which is capable ofdispensing a first measured amount of water softener solution into thetub of the machine for mixing with the water during the wash cycle, anda second measured amount of water softener into the tub of the machinefor mixing with the water during the rinse cycle.

It is another object of this invention to provide a water softenersolution dispenser for automatic washing machines which is capable ofstoring a quantity of water softener solution and which is also capableof dispensing such solution in successive measured amounts into the tubof an automatic washing machine for mixing with the water therein forboth the rinse and wash cycles.

It is a further object of this invention to provid a water softenersolution dispenser for automatic washing machines which may beconstructed in one form as a detachable dispenser and in another form asan integrated part of the agitator of an automatic washing machine.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a water softenersolution dispenser for automatic washing machines which is constructedand arranged so as to provide sufficient clearance between the dispenserand the tub opening to permit wash to be loaded into a machine while thedispenser is mounted on the machine.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a watersoftener solution dispenser for automatic washing machines which isprovided with a storage reservoir and a discharge reservoir, and whichstorage reservoir is constructed and arranged so as to permit a measuredamount of the solution to be forced therefrom by centrifugal force intothe discharge reservoir during a spin period or cycle of a machine fromwhere it will be discharged by gravity into the tub of the machine formixing with the next load of water admitted to the tub, while retainingthe rest of the solution in the storage reservoir.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a water softenersolution dispenser for automatic washing machines which will beeconomical of manufacture, simple and compact in construction, andefficient in operation.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will beapparent from the following detailed description and appended claims,reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thespecification wherein like reference numerals designate correspondingparts of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a detachable dispenser embodying theprinciples of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 thereof, and showing the dispensermounted on an automatic washing machine agitator which is shown inbroken lines;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 2, taken along the line 3-3 thereof, and looking in the directionof the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure "ice illustratedin FIG. 2, taken along the line 4-4 thereof, and looking in thedirection of the arrows; I

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 2, taken along the line 5-5 thereof, and looking in the directionof the arrows;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary central elevational sectional view of a slightlymodified detachable dispenser similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1through 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second detachable dispenser embodyingthe principles of the invention and which is provided with detachablepassageways;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the structureillustrated in FIG. 7, taken along the line 8-8 thereof, and looking inthe direction of the arrows;

FIG. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 8, taken along the line 9-9 thereof, and looking in the directionof the arrows;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational sectional view of the structureillustrated in FIG. 9, taken along the line 10-10 thereof, and lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is an elevational sectional view of a modified detachablepassageway adapted for use on the embodiment of FIGS. 7 through 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view of the structureillustrated in FIG. 11, taken along the line 12-42 thereof, and lookingin the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary central elevational sectional view of amodified dispenser structure adapted for use in a dispenser embodyingthe invention;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a third detachable clispenser embodyingthe principles of the invention and which is adapted to straddle theagitator vanes of an automatic washing machine;

FIG. 15 is an elevational sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 14, taken along the line 15-15 thereof, and looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 16 is an elevational sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 14, taken along the line 16-16 thereof, and looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 17 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 15, taken along the line 17-17 thereof, and looking in thedirection of the arrows; 7

FIG. 18 is a horizontal sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 15, taken along the line 18-18 thereof, and looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of a fourth detachable dispenser embodyingthe principles of the invention and which is adapted to straddle theagitator vanes of an automatic washing machine;

FIG. 20 is an elevational sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 19,taken along the line 20-20 thereof of FIG. 21, and looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 21 is a horizontal sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 19,taken along the line 21-21 of FIG. 22, and looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

FIG. 22 is an elevational sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 21, taken along the line 22-22 thereof, and looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 23 is a top plan view of la dispenser agitator made in accordancewith the principles of the invention and which is provided with a levelgauge; I

FIG. 24 is an elevational sectional view of the structure illustrated inFIG. 23, taken along the line 24-24 thereof, and looking in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the dispenser agitator illustrated inFIGS. 23 and 24;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of a second dispenser ag itator made inaccordance with the principles of the invention and which is providedwith detachable passageways and employs a two-piece dispenser agitatorconstruction;

3 FIG. 27 is an elevational sectional view of the structure illustratedin FIG. 26, taken along the line 2727 thereof, and looking in thedirection of the arrows; and,

FIG. 28 is a fragmentary elevational sectional view of the structureillustrated in FIG. 26, taken along the line 28-28, and looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through5, wherein is illustrated a first embodiment of a detachable dispenserembodying the principles of the invention, the numeral generallydesignates the dispenser which is adapted to be releasably mounted onthe upper end of an automatic washing machine agitator generallydesignated by the numeral 11.

,The dispenser 10 may be made from any suitable lightous parts of thedispenser may be made separately and assembled into a fabricatedone-piece or integral unit or :the dispenser could be cast or molded asa one-piece construction.

The dispenser 10 includes the outer cylindrical or tububody 12 which isprovided with a fixedly mounted upper end wall 13 and a fixedly mountedlower end wall 14. The lower end wall 14 is provided with a centrally oraxially disposed opening therethrough as 15 for the reception of theagitator 1.1 to permit the mounting of .the dispenser 10 thereon. Theagitator 11 is received in "the tubular supporting sleeve or socketmember generally designated by the numeral 16. "The socket member 16 isclosed on the upper end thereof and open on the lower end thereof. Theupper end portion of the socket member 16 is provided with a verticalcylindrical wall formation as indicated by the numeral 17 and the lowerend portion of the socket member 16 is formed with an outwardly'anddownwardly tapered or diverging wall formation as indicated by thenumeral 18. The lower tapered end portion 18 of the socket member 16 isdisposed around the opening 15 in the lower end Wall 14 and is fixedlyconnected thereto to form a fluid tight construction at this point.

An annular projection or rest pad 19 is mounted inside the socket member16 adjacent the upper end thereof.

When the dispenser 10 is mounted on an agitator as 11, as shown in FIG.2, the rest pad 19 abuts the outer surface of the upper end of theagitator spindle and the upper end of the agitator spindle rests againstthe closed upper end of the socket member 16. The rest pad 19 ispreferably made from a resilient material as rubber and provides a tightdriving fit between the agitator and the dispenser 10. The socket member16 is provided with a jplurality of peripherally disposed holes oropenings theremhrough, as 20, at the lower end thereof to permit fluidto pass out therethrou-gh from the inside of the dispenser '10 and downinto the tub of the automatic washing machine, as more fully describedhereinafter. It will be seen, that the upper end of the socket member 16is formed or constructed to seat around the upper cylindri cal endportion of the agitator 1 1 and that the lower end of the socket member16 is constructed to seat around the upper ends of the agitator vanes.The dispenser 10 is thus capable of being mounted on all automaticwashing machines having agitators shaped or for-med like the agitator 11.

The interior of the dispenser 10, that is, the space between the tubularbody wall 12 and the socket member "16 is partitioned as describedhereinafter to form an upper and lower container or what may be termed aprimary The storage reservoir is for-med in the upper portion 'of thedispenser 10 by means of the first vertical cylindrical wall or tubularmember 21 which is closed at the lower end thereof by the lower end wall22. The wall 22 is fixedly connected to the socket member lower taperedwall 18 by any suitable means to form a fluid-tight connectiontherebetween. A second vertical cylindrical wall or tubular member 23 isfixedly mounted on the inner side of the dispenser top wall :13 by anysuitable means to form a fluid-tight connection therebetween and dependstherefrom to a point adjacent the horizontal storage reservoir lower endwall 22. The wall 23 is preferably spaced apart, laterally from thereservoir vertical wall 21, a distance of approximately of an inch andthis space is indicated by the numeral 24. The lower end 25 of the innerwall 23 is preferably terminated at a point approximately of an inchfrom the reservoir lower end wall 22. The outer wall 12 of the dispenseris preferably spaced apart laterally from the intermediate wall 21 adistance of approximately of an inch and this space is indicated by thenumeral 26. The upper end 27 of the intermediate wall 21 terminatesbelow the upper dispenser Wall 13 and is spaced therefrom approximatelyof an inch.

The upper dispenser wall 13 is provided with the opening 23therethrough. The chemical or water softening ingredients are pouredinto the upper or storage reservoir through the opening 28. The storagereservoir is provided 'the outer periphery of their respective bafileplates and the holes 35 are disposed around the inner periphery of theplate 34. The intermediate plate 32 and the lower plate 34 are disposedaround the socket member 16 and are fixedly connected thereto by anysuitable means.

The lower or discharge reservoir is provided with a horizontal bafileplate 36 which is vertically spaced between the lower end wall 22 of thestorage reservoir and the lower wall 14 of the discharge reservoir. Theplate 36 surrounds the tapered wall 18 0f the socket member 16 and isfixedly secured thereto and to the inner side of the outer wall 12 byany suitable means. The plate 36 is provided with a plurality ofarcuately shaped holes therethrough as 37 around the outer peripherythereof.

The overall diameter of the dispenser 10 is preferably held to a sizewhereby it is only approximately 1 /2 inches larger in diameter than theagitator 11 on which it is to be mounted. The overall compactness of thedispenser 19 is achieved by maintaining the overall diameter to aminimum and extending the height to achieve capacity. The various wallsand bafiie plates are preferably made from material of approximately.040 thickness. Therefore, it may remain on the agitator during theloading and unloading of the wash from the machine.

In use, the chemical water softening ingredients may be inserted intothe dispenser in amounts equal to the size of the dispenser, that is, inamounts equal to one charge or several. The aforementioned Watersoftening ingredients are inserted in the desired amount to provide thedesired strength and these ingredients may be in the form of a fluidchemical concentrate or in a chemical powder form after which thedesired amount of water is inserted equal to the desired number ofcharges to make what will be hereinafter referred to as the chemicalsolution. Any of the many available chemical water softening ingredientsnow on the market may be used. If the dispenser is made large enough incapacity, it will insert a first charge of the chemical solution intothe tub during the rinse cycle and a second charge during the loadperiod preparatory for the next wash cycle. For example, during the spinor drying cycle a charge or measured amount of the chemical solutionwill be forced by centrifugal force up the feed passageway or conduitformed by the space 24 and then it will flow by gravity down into thedischarge reservoir through the discharge passageway or conduit formedby the space 26. The chemical solution flowing into the dischargereservoir will be held by centrifugal force in the upper and lowercompartments in this reservoir formed by the plate 36, and the dottedlines 38 and 39 generally indicate the outline of the chemical solutionas it is disposed by centrifugal force during the drying cycle. Thechemical solution will flow from the lowr compartment in the storagereservoir formed between the lower end wall 22 and the baifle plate 34during the drying cycle. However the chemical solution in thecompartments above will not flow down into the lower compartment in thestorage reservoir because of centrifugal force and the fact that theholes 35 are disposed along the inner side or periphery of the plate 34.The chemical solution above the plates 29, 32 and 34 will be thrownoutwardly by the centrifugal force and the dotted lines 40 generallyindicate the outline of the chemical solution as it is disposed bycentrifugal force during the drying cycle.

After the spin or drying cycle, the chemical solution in the dischargereservoir will flow by gravity out of this reservoir through the exitholes or discharge ports 20 and down into the tub of the machine whereit will mix with the next load of new water for the next washing cycle.The chemical solution in the storage reservoir will flow downwardlythrough the holes 35, 33, 30 and 31 and into the lower compartment ofthe storage reservoir, between the wall 22 and plate 34, to fill thelower compartment, whereby, the dispenser is ready for the next spin ordry cycle.

FIG. 6 illustrates a dispenser a which is similar to the dispenser 10and the corresponding parts have been marked with correspondingreference numerals followed by the small letter a. It will be seen thatthe dispenser 10a of FIG. 6 is constructed the same as the dispenser 10with the exception that there is no baflle plate in the dischargechamber or reservoir. During the spin or drying cycle the chemicalsolution flowing into the discharge reservoir will thus be thrownoutwardly by the centrifugal force and the dotted line 41 generallyindicates the disposition outline of the chemical solution during thedrying cycle. The structure of FIG. 6 is preferably used when thedispenser is formed greater in length than the dispenser shown in FIG.2, whereby the longer discharge reservoir will hold as much chemicalsolution during the spin cycle as the shorter discharge reservoir of thedispenser 10 will, because of the baifie plate 36. The dispenser 10afunctions the same as the dispenser 10.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 illustrate a second detachable dispenser 10b whichis constructed similarly to the dispenser 10 and the corresponding partsare marked with corresponding reference numerals followed by the smallletter b. In the dispenser 1% the built-in passageways 24 and 26 havebeen replaced with detachable passageways or conduit means generallyindicated by the numeral 42. The inner and intermediate walls 21 and 23as employed in the dispenser 10 are thus not used in the dispenser 10band the lower end wall 22b of the storage reservoir extends to thesocket member 16b which is fixedly connected to the outer wall 12b. Thebafiie plates 29b, 32b and 34b also extend outwardly from the socketmember 16b to the outer wall 12b to which they are fixedly connected.

The passageway means or members 42 are preferably evenly disposed aroundthe outer wall 12b and are preferably formed from a suitable transparentplastic material. The number of passageways 42 used may vary from one toany desired number. The members 42 are each provided with a feed conduitor passageway 43 which is connected at the upper end thereof by theconnecting passageway 44 to the discharge passageway 45. As shown inFIGS. 8 and 10, the lower end of the feed conduit 43 is connected to thelower end of the storage reservoir by means of the inlet passageway 46and the lower end of the discharge passageway 45 is connected to theupper end of the discharge reservoir by means of the exit passageway 47.

The detachable passageways means or members 42 may each be secured tothe outer wall 12b by any suitable means. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10,each of the members 42 is provided on the inner curved side thereof,adjacent the upper end thereof, with an inwardly extended fixed arm 48which is adapted to be inserted through the hole 49 in the outer wall12b. The outer end of the arm 48 is peened over as at 50 after the arm48 has been inserted through the hole 49 to hold the arm 48 in place.The lower end of each of the members 42 is similarly secured in place.As shown in FIG. 8, the passageways 46 and 47 are formed in the inwardlyextended arms 51 and 52, respectively, which are inserted through theholes 53 and 54, respectively, formed in the outer wall 12b. The outerends of the arms 51 and 52 are also peened over as at 55 and 56,respectively, similarly to the peened over portion 50 of the arm 48. Thearms 48, 51 and 52 will, of course, be formed to provide a tight fitwith the holes 49, 53 and 54, respectively, to provide a fluid-tight fittherebetween. If the arms 48, 51 and 52 are made from a pliable plasticmaterial they may be formed with the heads 50, 55 and 56, respectively,thereon and then merely snapped into place in their respective holes inthe wall 12b.

In use, the dispenser 10b functions the same as the aforedescribeddispenser 10. As shown in FIG. 8, a float level gauge 57, in the form ofa buoyant ball shaped member, may be employed in the feed conduit 43,whereby, the level of the chemical solution in the storage reservoir maybe observed.

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a slightly modified detachable passagewaymeans or member 42c which is similar in construction and function to thepassageway members 42. Accordingly, the corresponding parts of themember 42c have been marked with corresponding reference numeralsfollowed by the small letter c. The passageway member 420 differs fromthe passageway member 42 in that the passageways 43c and 45c aredisposed in inward and outward relative positions, respectively, ratherthan in a side by side position as in member 42. The passageway 420 maybe substituted for the members 42 in the dispenser 10b.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary central elevational sectional view of amodified dispenser 10d which is constructed similar to the dispenser 10and which functions similarly. Accordingly, the corresponding parts havebeen marked with corresponding reference numerals followed by the smallletter d. The difference between the dispenser 10 and the dispenser 10dis that the socket member lower end wall portion 18d is straight,instead of tapered as is wall 18 in dispenser 10. Dispenser 16d is thusconstructed to be mounted on agitators which have a cylindrical upperend portion whereby the agitator vanes do not extend upwardly far enoughto interfere with the mounting of the dispenser on the agitator.

A. further structural difference is that the dispenser 10d is providedwith a plurality of baflle plates 36d in the discharge reservoir insteadof one such baflle plate. The use of a plurality of baffle plates 36d isdesirable in a dispenser in which the storage chamber or reservoir is ofless height than the storage chambers of the dispensers 10 and That is,the distance between the walls 141! and 22a. is less than the distancebetween the walls 14 and 22, and, the distance between the wall 18d andthe wall 12d is greater than the distance between the wall 18 and thewall 12 of the dispenser 10. In the dispenser 10d the chemical solutionin the storage reservoir during the spin or drying cycle would be thrownoutwardly by the centrifugal force and the dotted lines 58 generallyindicate the dispositions outline of the solution during the dryingcycle in each compartment formed in the storage reservoir by the plates36d.

FIGS. 14 through 18 illustrate a further dispenser 102 which is adaptedfor use on an agitator 112 provided with agitator vanes 63 which extendupwardly to the upper end of the agitator shaft. The dispenser a isconstructed similarly to the dispenser 10!) illustrated in FIGS. 7through 10, in that the passagewaysconnecting the storage reservoir andthe discharge reservoir are located externally of the outer wall 12a.These passageways are formed in the portions marked 42:: which areconstructed similarly to the members 42, but the portions 422 arefixedly connected to the wall 12c and are not detachable. The portions42e may be formed integral with the walls 12e or they may be formedseparately and be fixedly connected to the wall 12a by any suitablemeans.

The dispenser 10:: functions similarly to the other aforedescribeddispensers and the corresponding parts are marked with similar referencenumerals followed by the small letter e. The socket members 162 isprovided with a flat upper end wall 59 from which extends upwardly theelongated dome portion 60. The upper end of the socket member 16e is soformed so that it will seat on the upper end 61 of the agitatorassembly. The rest pads 1912 are formed as a plurality of arcuatelyshaped pads instead of a complete annular member as the rest pad 19 inthe dispenser 10.

As shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 18, the outer wall 122 and the socketmember wall portions 1% and 18e are slotted to permit the dispenser tobe seated over the agitator vanes 63. These slots are indicated by thenumeral 64 and they are bounded by the walls 65 which are fixedlyconnected between the outer Wall 12:: and the socket member walls andwhich extend upwardly to the bathe plate 29e to which they are fixedlyconnected. The walls ,65- also extend downwardly to the lower end wall14a to which they are also fixedly connected. It will be seen that theslots 64 thus cut the lower portion of the storage reservoir below thebaflie plate 29c into a plurality of sections. These slots also cut thedischarge reservoir into a plurality of separate sections. The chemicalsolution will flow downwardly from the storage reservoir section abovethe bafiie plate 296 through the openings 31a into the separate lowersections of the storage reservoir. The passageway members 42e thenconvey the solution from each separate lower storage reservoir sectionto the adjacent discharge reservoir section in the usual manner duringoperation of the dispenser 10e during a spin or drying cycle. A furtherdifference between the dispenser 10b and the dispenser 10a is that thelower wall portion 18a of the socket member is vertically disposed.

FIGS. 19 through 22 illustrate a further embodiment of a detachabledispenser 66 made in accordance with the invention and adapted for usewith an automatic washing machine having agitator vanes extendingupwardly and terminating adjacent the upper end of the agitator shaft.The embodiment 66 includes the outer wall 67 which is generallyrectangularly shaped with the four sides thereof curved inwardly orconvexly to permit additional room for the insertion of wash past thedis penser. The four portions of the wall 67 are joined so as to form asubstantially triangularly shaped corner as generally indicated by thenumeral 68. The upper end of the wall 67 is enclosed by the end wall 69which is provided with an opening therethrough as 70 for the insertionof the chemical solution. The socket member generally indicated by thenumeral 71 is provided with a dome-like head or top end portion 73 whichis adapted to seat on the similarly shaped top end portion 74 of theagitator assembly 75. The socket member includes the main body portionthereof as the wall 72 which is cylindrical in shape as shown, in FIG.21. The socket member 71 is also provided with the U-shaped laterallyextended portions 77 into which are received the agitator vanes 76.These portions 77 extend toward the triangular corners 68. The lowerends of the socket member and the outer wall 67 are joined by the lowerend wall 78.

Each of the triangularly shaped portions 68 is provided with a verticalwall '79 which extends upwardly to a point adjacent the upper wall 69and which is enclosed at the lower end thereof by the bottom wall 80which is connected to the socket member wall 72. Centrally mountedinwardly from the wall 79 is the vertical wall 81 which depends orextends from the upper end wall 69 downwardly to a point adjacent thewall 80. The space 82 between the wall 81 and the socket member wall 72communicates with the storage reservoir. The numeral 83 indicates theupper end wall of the socket member 71. The space 84 between walls 79and 81 forms the feed conduit in each of the triangularly shaped cornersand is connected at the upper end thereof with the discharge conduit 85which leads downwardly to the discharge reservoir 86. The dischargereservoir 86, in the lower end of the dispenser, is provided with aplurality of exit holes or discharge ports as 87.

The storage reservoir is provided with the usual baflle plates 88 and 91which are each provided with openings as 89 and 90 to permit thesolution to flow downwardly. The dispenser 66 functions the same way asthe previously described dispensers during a spin or drying cycle. InFIG. 19, the broken line circle indicates the washing machine tubopening and it is apparent from FIG. 19 that the dispenser 66 is formedto permit insertion of wash into the tub without removing the dispenser.

FIGS. 23 through 25 illustrate a dispenser agitator, that is, anagitator in which a dispenser in accordance with the invention isintegrally formed therein. The agitator is generally indicated by thenumeral 92 and is provided with the usual vanes as 93 in which areformed the passageways for feeding the water softener solution from thestorage reservoir to the discharge reservoir in the same manner asdescribed hereinafter for the detacha-ble dispense-rs. The dispenseragitator is adapted to be mounted on the agitator shaft 94 of anautomatic washingmachine in the usual manner. The dispenser agitator 92is provided with an inner sleeve-like wall or tubular socket member 95which is fixedly connected by means of the horizontal wall 115 to theouter wall structure 98. The upper end of the outer wall 98 is providedwith the end wall 96 having the opening 97 formed therethrough. Aplurality of baffle plates as 99, 100 and 101 are mounted between thecircular walls 98 and 95 and are provided with openings therethrough as102, 103, and 104, respectively, similar to the openings in the baffleplates of the previously described detachable dispensers.

A horizontal wall 105 is fixedly mounted between the outer wall 98 andthe wall 95 at a point below the baffle plate 101 to form the lower endwall of the storage reservoir. The upper ends of the agitator vanes arehollowed out to provide passageways as 107 and 109 and these passagewaysare divided by the wall 106 which extends from the storage reservoirlower end wall 105 upwardly to a point adjacent the upper end of thevanes. The passageways 107 and 109 are connected at their upper ends bythe connecting passageway 108. The storage reservoir is connected toeach of the passageways 107 by means of the inlet ports 1 13. Thepassageways 109 are connected at their lower ends by means of the exitports 11-4 to the circularly shaped discharge reservoir 110. Thedischarge reservoir is discharged by means of the discharge ports orexit holes 111 formed in the wall 95 at the lower end thereof. Thedispenser agitator may be provided with a transparent level gauge as 112which may be fixedly attached thereto by any suitable means.

In operation, the dispenser built into the agitator 92 functions in thesame manner as the previously described detachabie dispensers.

FIGS. 26 through 28 illustrate a second dispenser agitator 92 similar tothe dispenser agitator 92. The

main structural differences between them being that the dispenseragitator 92f is formed in parts which may be fixed together, and thattlie passageways between the storage reservoir and the dischargereservoir are formed in a separate structure which is fixedly attachedto the other structure of the dispenser agitator. The correspondingparts are marked with the corresponding reference numerals followed bythe small letter f. It will be seen that in this embodiment the innersleeve wall 95 and the battle plates 99], 100 101], and, the Walls 105and 115 are integrally formed. The outer wall 98 carrying the agitatorvanes 93 is integrally separately formed and is adapted to be mountedaround the inner wall assembly. As shown, the outer wall 98 would beprovided with grooves as 1 16 into which the baflle plate 101 and thewalls 105 and 1 15 would be snap seated in place to provide a fluidtight seal. The outer assembly is thus seated and held escurely in placeon the inner assembly.

The storage reservoir and the discharge reservoir are interconnected bya separately formed passageway member as 117 at a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced points. The passageway members 117 are similarto the detachable members 42 used in some of the previously describeddispensers. As shown, the members 117 are elongated hollow members whichare semi-circular in cross-section and closed at the ends thereof. Theinner structure is similar to the passageway stmcture formed in thevanes of the dispenser agitator 92 and corresponding reference numeralsare used followed by the small letter i. The members 117 are preferablymade from a suitable transparent plastic material and a level floatgauge as 118 may be mounted in the feed conduit 107 The members 117 maybe fixedly attached to the outer wall 98 by any suitable means.

It will be understood, that in a single charge dispenser, made inaccordance with any of the aforesaid embodiments, no baflie plates, as29, 32. and 34 of FIG. 2, will be used in the storage reservoir,whereby, the entire single charge will flow during the spin cycle intothe discharge reservoir. In a single charge dispenser of this type thedischarge reservoir may have anywhere from zero to a plurality of baffleplates depending on the height of the discharge reservoir.

The number of baflie plates employed in the discharge reservoir of anyof the aforedescribed embodiments depends on the ratio of the verticaldepth to the horizontal distance from the inner discharge openings tothe outer wall of the discharge reservoir. The spin r.p.m. would alsohave to be considered since the slope of the dotted lines as 38 and 39of FIG. 2, which indicate the position of the chemical solution during aspin cycle, would become more vertical with an increased r.p.m. However,the spin rpm. of most automatic washing machines is approximately thesame and so usually the aforementioned ratio must only be considered.That is, if the vertical depth and horizontal distance of the dischargereservoir are large enough to prevent the charge from flowing out of thedischarge openings, as 20 in FIG. 2, during the spin cycle, no baflieplates are needed in the discharge reservoir. However, if the oppositeis true, one or more baffle plates will be needed in the dischargereservoir.

In a multiple charge dispenser, as that shown in FIG. 2, the spacebetween the lower end wall 22 and the lowermost baflle plate 34 may becalled the charge measuring chamber or section and the rest of the spaceabove the baffle plate 34 may be called the retaining chamber orsection. The number of bafie plates as 29 and 32 employed in such amultiple charge dispenser would depend on the ratio of the verticaldepth of the retaining section, as from plate 34 to the upper end wall13 of FIG. 2, to the horizontal distance from the inwardly disposedopenings '35 to the inner wall 23 of FIG. 2, in the same manner asdescribed hereinbefore for the discharge reservoir.

What I claim is:

1. In an automatic washing machine, the combination of, an agitator anda water softener solution dispenser carried by said agitator which ismounted in a tub for rotation with the tub about the vertical axis ofthe tub and which tub is rotated at a high speed during a drying spincycle, said dispenser including a solution storage reservoir and anannular solution discharge reservoir having an inner side disposed belowthe storage reservoir; passageways connecting said reservoirs andextending from the lower end of said storage reservoir upwardly to thetop end of the dispenser and then downwardly to the upper end of thedischarge reservoir; bafl1e means in said storage reservoir, whereby,when the storage reservoir is fully loaded with solution the flow of thesolution out of the storage reservoir through said passageways extendingfrom the lower end of the storage reservoir upwardly to the top end ofthe dispenser and then downwardly to the upper end of said dischargereservoir by means of centrifugal force during each drying spin cyclethereafter will be limited to a measured amount of solution; and, saiddischarge reservoir being provided with exit ports extended through saidinner side thereof and adjacent the lower end thereof, whereby thesolution forced into said discharge reservoir during a drying spin cyclewill flow by gravity through said ports and into the machine tub whenthe drying spin cycle ends.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: said dispenser isformed in said agitator.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein: said dispenser isseparately formed and is detachably mounted on said agitator.

4. A water softener solution dispenser for use on an automatic washingmachine having an agitator mounted in a tub for rotation with the tubabout the vertical axis of the tub and which tub is spun at a high speedduring a drying cycle comprising: an annular tubular body; a socketmember mounted in said body for detachably mounting the dispenser on theagitator for rotation therewith; said tubular body including a storagereservoir formed in the upper end thereof and a discharge reservoirhaving an inner side formed in the lower end thereof and disposed belowthe storage reservoir; passageway means interconnecting said reservoirsand extending from the lower end of said storage reservoir upwardly tothe top end of the dispenser and then downwardly to the upper end of thedischarge reservoir, whereby when said tub is spun during a dryingcycle, a charge of the solution in the storage reservoir will be forcedfrom the lower end thereof and through the passageway means upwardly tothe top end of the dispenser and then downwardly into the dischargereservoir and retained therein by centrifugal force; and, said dischargereservoir being provided with exit ports extended through said innerside thereof and adjacent the lower end thereof, whereby the solutionforced into said discharge reservoir during a drying spin cycle willflow by gravity through said ports and into the machine tub when thedrying spin cycle ends.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4, wherein: said storage reservoiris provided with bafille means, whereby when the tub is :spun during adrying cycle, the charge of solution forced from the storage reservoirwill be limited to a measured amount thereof.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein: said passageway meansincludes at least one feed conduit connected at its lower end to thelower end of the storage reservoir and with the upper end thereofextending upwardly to the upper end of the dispenser, and at least onedischarge conduit connected at its upper end to the upper end of thefeed conduit and connected at its lower end to the upper end of thedischarge reservoir.

7. The Structure as defined in claim 5, including: bafiie means mountedin said discharge reservoir for restraining the charge of solutionforced thereinto during a drying cycle from flowing out through saidexit ports until the drying spin cycle is ended.

8. The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein: at least the outer wallof the tubular body is made from a transparent material.

9. The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein: said passageway meansis formed interiorly of the tubular body.

10. The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein: said passageway meansincludes at least one separately formed formed unit which is fixedlysecured to the outer side of the tubular body and which is formed from atransparent material.

11. The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein: said tubular body isformed circular in cross section.

12. A dispenser agitator for use on an automatic washing machine havinga tub which is spun at a high speed during a drying cycle comprising: aninner assembly including a socket member for detachably mounting theagitator on the agitator shaft of an automatic washing machine; an outerassembly carrying the agitator vanes surrounding the inner assembly;means connecting said inner and outer assemblies to form a storagereservoir and an annular discharge reservoir having an inner sid locatedbelow the storage reservoir; passageway means interconnecting saidreservoirs and extending from the lower end of said storage reservoirupwardly to the top end of the dispenser agitator and then downwardly tothe upper end of the discharge reservoir; bafile means in said storagereservoir, whereby when the tub is spun during a drying cycle, a chargeof water softening solution in said storage reservoir will be forcedfrom the lower end thereof and through the passageway means and into thedischarge reservoir and retained-therein by centrifugal force; and, saiddischarge reservoir being provided with a plurality of exit portsextended through said inner side thereof and adjacent the lower endthereof, whereby the solution forced into said discharge reservoirduring a drying spin cycle will flow by gravity through said ports andinto the tub when the drying cycle is ended.

137 The structure as defined in claim 12, wherein: said assemblies andpassageway means are formed as a one piece construction.

14. The structure as defined in claim 12, wherein: said assemblies areseparately formed with the outer assembly being detachably mounted onsaid inner assembly, and said passageway means is separately formed andmounted on the outer sides of said outer assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,826,030 Snyder Oct. 6, 1931 2,119,677 Labisky June 7, 1938 2,298,624Labisky Oct. 13, 1942 2,522,242 Wagner Sept. 12, 1950 2,792,701 BochanMay 21, 1957 2,868,006 Tingley Jan. 13, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES NorgeAdvertisement in Life Magazine, 68-17, issue of Oct. 28, 1957.

